Panel proposes more funding for poorer students

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CARSON CITY, Nev. — A task force of Nevada lawmakers, educators and parents has recommended the state provide schools with more money to educate low-income and English language learner students.

The Task Force on K-12 Public Education Funding agreed Monday that students in those higher-risk categories should be allocated at least 150 percent of the normal per-student funding rate. The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports the recommendation will be turned into a bill for consideration in the 2015 legislative session.

The state’s existing formula provides the same amount of per-pupil funding regardless of whether a student lives in poverty or has limited English skills.

Republican state Sen. Michael Roberson says the proposal is predicated on the Legislature increasing its overall budget for education, rather than taking money away from other areas of the budget.